U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, announced this evening that he will not seek re-election to a tenth term in Congress this fall.

Cramer said in a prepared statement that he had made the decision after talking with his family.

"This was a difficult decision, but after 28 years of public service it is time for me to step aside, spend more time with my family and begin another chapter in my life," he said. "I believe that this is a good time for me to step aside and transition to new leadership."

Before being elected to Congress in 1990, Cramer served 10 years as Madison County district attorney and is known as founder of the National Children's Advocacy Center.